The UltraDrive in these cars was "self-learning" in regards to many things. How the owner drove, for example, but in all of the rent cars I did back then (Mopar Nats and such), never did see any real differences.
It did vary the clutch apply pressure, checking it many times/second, to detect clutch slippage and compensate to stop any it detected. If Dexron was used "straight", without the Chrysler-conversion additive, it'd hammer the friction materials right away from its backing. In high mileage units, the car seemed to drive normally, was then parked, and wouldn't untrack when it was restarted by the owner to leave where they were.
Granted, these were NOT driver's cars in the prior Chrysler sense of things. I think that much of that had to do with the OEM Goodyears which Chrysler used back then. Better tires, firmer shocks/struts, and some stiffer sway bars might have helped a good bit! Always seemed to feel like that air-bagged steering wheel was much heavier than the prior ones were, to me.
On the other hand, from what I'd seen back then, the bodies were pretty stout. Not quite as much deformation in collision events, compare to others of that time.
Can't forget the oil consumption/valve guide issues with the MItsu 2.6 or the turbo oil seal issues with higher-mileage turbo 4-cyls.
ONE thing, though, don't take it to a Chrysler dealer and expect "instant" parts availability or techs that know all about it! Search out a shop that is competent and willing to understand that these cars "don't fix like a Chevy or Ford"! Search out Dr. David Zatz's Chrysler FAQ postings that were on the older Usenet bulletin board site, where much about these cars' service items are detailed (might not be archived in the www.allpar.com website?).
The FWD Chryslers and Turbo Dodges webring might still be around. The FWD Mopar hobby can tend to circle around the GLHS Omins and other turbo cars of that decade. A "different culture" of sorts, but still under the Mopar Umbrella. Lots of interesting stuff in that branch of the Mopar tree!
Enjoy!
CBODY67
It did vary the clutch apply pressure, checking it many times/second, to detect clutch slippage and compensate to stop any it detected. If Dexron was used "straight", without the Chrysler-conversion additive, it'd hammer the friction materials right away from its backing. In high mileage units, the car seemed to drive normally, was then parked, and wouldn't untrack when it was restarted by the owner to leave where they were.
Granted, these were NOT driver's cars in the prior Chrysler sense of things. I think that much of that had to do with the OEM Goodyears which Chrysler used back then. Better tires, firmer shocks/struts, and some stiffer sway bars might have helped a good bit! Always seemed to feel like that air-bagged steering wheel was much heavier than the prior ones were, to me.
On the other hand, from what I'd seen back then, the bodies were pretty stout. Not quite as much deformation in collision events, compare to others of that time.
Can't forget the oil consumption/valve guide issues with the MItsu 2.6 or the turbo oil seal issues with higher-mileage turbo 4-cyls.
ONE thing, though, don't take it to a Chrysler dealer and expect "instant" parts availability or techs that know all about it! Search out a shop that is competent and willing to understand that these cars "don't fix like a Chevy or Ford"! Search out Dr. David Zatz's Chrysler FAQ postings that were on the older Usenet bulletin board site, where much about these cars' service items are detailed (might not be archived in the www.allpar.com website?).
The FWD Chryslers and Turbo Dodges webring might still be around. The FWD Mopar hobby can tend to circle around the GLHS Omins and other turbo cars of that decade. A "different culture" of sorts, but still under the Mopar Umbrella. Lots of interesting stuff in that branch of the Mopar tree!
Enjoy!
CBODY67
